Feeling burnt out

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I have been working in LTC for 3 months and I am starting to feel burnt out. It the past 14 days I have worked 12, and I am so tired. Then there is the fact that there has been a stomach flu epidemic, and I constantly deal with squabbling aides. I also feel like I still don't know what I am doing. any advice? I don't want to change jobs at this time, but I just don't know if I can stand to go on this way!

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Don't work any extra days if you can help it.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I agree - you need your days off. Be protective of your free time.

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I've been working in a LTC setting for 13 years..and let me tell you, I am burnt out!!!! I look forward to my days off weeks before I have them, lol! I keep saying to myself I need to find a different job, but where else am I going to go and get 4 weeks vacation time. I also love my residents to pieces and know my job well. I'm not to good with change, but I think i need it drastically!! LTC never changes unless the company you work for is there to back you up with enough staff to get you through the shift. I mean lets face it 3 CNA's for a census of 49 is ridiculous, especially when 48 of them are total care!!!! I feel your pain and could you tell me what state you are in? I get upset when I think about how Nursing is over worked and underpaid, understaffed,and we go unrecognized for all of our hard work and dedication. Its not fair to any of us, especially the residents who can not get the proper care because we are working with 3 CNA's and 2 floor nurses that do everything from a 30 person a piece med pass, to treatments, to charting, to taking off our orders!!! And these people are paying 6,000 bucks or more a month to be taken care of. While the companies we work for are working us like dogs just so they can get their BIG FAT BONUS CHECK at the end of the quarter...SMH.....US as nurses need to stand up together and get this garbage dealt with....UNFAIR to all in LTC!!!

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They are so right- don't pick up extra days-take all ur days off- don't answer the phone. You will feel better. I agree, the cna fights, and being understaffed is stressful all on top of patient care.

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Is it possible to take a mini stay-cation? Working excessive extra shifts will burn anyone out quickly! I used to work 4-5, 12 hour shifts a week in the ER. Then I got a huge reality check handed to me by my body. Take care of yourself first. You can not give good care to your residents, if your not there to give it! Stay away from extra shifts for a while, just say NO when asked!

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Specializes in Corrections.

Wow, did I write this? lol. Same boat, 3 months in and burnt out. Understaffed and fighting CNA's. their killing me. love the residents to pieces, and we provide really great care, I am so happy about that, they care about their residents...but not their staff.

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